AGP Executive Report

Portland Ballot Push: Supporters of the “Your 2 Cents PDX” participatory budgeting measure say they turned in a record 78,743 signatures to Portland City Hall, aiming to set aside 2% of the city’s general fund for residents to vote on local spending. Oregon Labor Watch: The Oregon Employment Relations Board found the University of Oregon committed unfair labor practices tied to student conduct actions against union leaders, ordering remedies after complaints from graduate teaching fellows and student workers. State Hospital Oversight: Oregon Health Authority director Dr. Sejal Hathi announced her resignation amid scrutiny of Oregon State Hospital patient deaths and seclusion practices, with lawmakers pressing for more accountability. Courts & Voting Data: The DOJ kept escalating its fight over unredacted voter roll data, filing fresh appeals after repeated losses in federal court, including in Oregon. Federal Aviation Rulemaking: The FAA moved to block states and localities from applying their own meal and rest-break rules to airline crews, arguing federal duty/rest rules should preempt. Energy & Climate Costs: A new analysis argues “net-zero” and renewable mandates are driving higher electricity rates in Democratic-led states, including Oregon’s policy debate context.

Data Center Push: Gov. Tina Kotek says Oregon needs “specific actions” to rein in data center expansion, warning the state is becoming a “cheap date” on power and water use even as she declines to say whether new projects would be blocked. Immigration Enforcement Pressure: Oregon saw a 246% jump in federal requests for local help with immigration enforcement, with 329 requests logged over the past year, raising fresh questions about how Oregon’s sanctuary law is being followed. Public Safety & Fireworks: Central Oregon reported multiple holiday fires tied to fireworks and illegal activity, and Deschutes County will hold a household hazardous waste and fireworks drop-off July 12 in Redmond. Health Policy: Oregon’s QT Breast Imaging clinic is set to open July 13, offering a new breast screening option and education-focused approach. Agriculture Relief: Kotek requested a federal disaster declaration for Hood River and Wasco pear growers after a severe 2025 pear psylla infestation and heat stress caused $40–$45 million in losses. Elections & Voting Rights: Oregon’s AG coalition actions continue targeting efforts to restrict mail voting, including opposition to USPS rule changes.

Federal Student Aid: New federal caps on graduate school borrowing take effect July 1, limiting most grad students to $20,500 annually (and $100,000 total) and professional degrees to $50,000 a year ($200,000 total), pushing students and Oregon-area colleges to rethink pricing and enrollment. Oregon Immigration Courts: Federal officials filed Oregon’s first denaturalization complaint of the Trump second term against Keizer resident Jaswinder Singh, alleging he used a second identity to secure residency and citizenship. Oregon Public Safety: Oregon’s State Fire Marshal says consumer fireworks are generally legal year-round unless a city/county bans them, and many public lands restrict them—so local rules still matter. Tribal-State Collaboration: Oregon’s tribal liaison Glendon Smith discusses bridging government-to-government gaps with Warm Springs and other tribes on issues like wildlife and sovereignty. Environment & Wildlife: Washington is expanding white sturgeon monitoring with acoustic tags, and California is distributing $1.1 million to ranchers after wolf attacks—relevant to regional wildlife management debates.

Fireworks & Local Rules: Oregon’s State Fire Marshal says legal “consumer fireworks” aren’t statewide-banned outside July 4, but cities and counties can impose temporary or year-round restrictions, and many public lands (state parks, beaches, national forests, plus BLM and U.S. Fish and Wildlife areas) prohibit them. Wildlife Monitoring: Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife is expanding white sturgeon monitoring across coastal and Puget Sound waters, using acoustic tags to track movement and links to the Columbia River population. Western Grid Push: 11 Western governors, including Oregon’s, backed a multi-state task force (WestTEC) to study and speed transmission upgrades, aiming to cut bottlenecks and improve reliability. Oregon Ballot Watch: Animal-rights organizers submitted final signatures for IP 28, which would remove hunting, fishing, and livestock exemptions from Oregon’s animal abuse law—though backers and opponents both expect it to be a tough sell at the ballot. Healthcare Politics: A letter urges Oregon’s universal healthcare effort, pointing to the state’s single-payer governance board work expected to be ready in September.

Oregon Politics & Government: Oregon’s election system is in the spotlight after reporting that Gov. Katie Hobbs knew Arizona’s voter registration software was faulty but launched it anyway—an issue that’s now raising fresh questions about reliability and election administration. Public Safety & Civic Life: In Eugene, protesters returned to the federal building after a judge ordered the removal of a fence that had blocked access to ICE offices, with demonstrators citing free speech and civil liberties. State & Local Military: Oregon National Guard members took part in Independence Day events statewide, including Lake Oswego’s semiquincentennial celebration with remarks about the “Citizen-Soldiers” tradition. Ballot & Policy Watch: Oregon’s hunting and fishing ban proposal, IP 28, is on track for the November ballot, keeping wildlife policy and direct-democracy fights front and center. National Politics: President Trump marked America’s 250th with a National Mall speech and fireworks after severe weather forced evacuations, blending celebration with campaign-style messaging. Sports (Oregon spotlight): At Hayward Field, Eugene hosted major track moments, including Nigerian sprinter Kayinsola Ajayi’s 100m win and teen Tate Taylor’s 200m upset of Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

Ballot Measure Watch (Oregon): Initiative Petition 28 has cleared a major hurdle, submitting 142,784 signatures by the deadline—enough to qualify for the November ballot after ineligible signatures are weeded out. If approved, it would tighten Oregon’s animal-related exemptions and, in practice, would restrict hunting, fishing, rodeo animal use, pest control, and some livestock practices. State Government & Elections: Oregon’s Supreme Court birthright citizenship decision drew a formal response from Gov. Tina Kotek, underscoring how national court rulings are landing in Oregon’s election and policy debates. Energy & Data Centers (Oregon): Oregon leaders are weighing the politics of data-center growth and power costs, including Kotek’s push for energy affordability and fairness as the industry expands. Local Governance (Portland area): A Hillsboro private-jet hangar plan at Sky Harbour is on pause after an appeal, sending the final call to the Hillsboro City Council—neighbors cite noise, air pollution, and equity concerns. Public Safety: Oregon’s Fourth of July boating crackdown and wildfire/fireworks risk messaging continue as agencies warn about dangerous holiday conditions.

USPS & Voting Rights Fight: Nevada AG Aaron Ford is co-leading a 24-state coalition urging the Postal Service to withdraw a proposed rule they say would centralize election control and restrict mail-in voting. Oregon Housing Crunch: A federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit push in Portland is producing many units priced beyond what lower-income renters can afford, with thousands reportedly sitting vacant. Local Public Safety: Willamette Valley agencies are ramping up patrols for the Fourth of July weekend after multiple crashes, including a fatal motorcycle crash and collisions involving emergency responders. City-County Power Debate: A Portland-area activist is pushing to merge Multnomah County and the City of Portland, arguing city-county dysfunction is undermining public safety. Data Center Policy: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek says the state needs safeguards as data centers expand, criticizing Oregon as “too easy” for power-hungry facilities. Oregon Ballot Watch: Activists submitted signatures for IP 28, which would ban hunting and fishing and eliminate animal agriculture exemptions, aiming for the November ballot. Fourth of July Fireworks Enforcement: Seaside is increasing fines for illegal fireworks as crowds head to the coast.

Oregon Ballot Watch: Initiative Petition 28 is on track to be the only major statewide citizen measure heading to Oregon’s November ballot, with backers reporting 142,784 signatures—well above the 117,173 needed—though the Secretary of State still has 30 days to verify. The proposal would remove current exemptions that allow hunting, fishing, livestock production, and animal research. Immigration & Courts: A new “Bloomberg Investigates” episode spotlights Oregon’s Innovation Law Lab and its lawsuit over alleged denial of access to clients at Oregon ICE facilities, as courthouse arrests ramped up in 2025 and a preliminary-injunction decision remains pending. Public Safety & Health: Oregon Gov. Tina Kotek requested a federal disaster designation for Hood River and Wasco pear growers after a severe 2025 pear psylla infestation, estimating $40–$45 million in losses and asking USDA for recovery tools and market relief. Statehouse/Policy: A multistate coalition led by AG Kwame Raoul won a court fight blocking an unlawful federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness rule, keeping PSLF eligibility intact for public service workers. Local Government: Portland raised downtown parking meter rates and permit costs starting July 1, adding another fee to a growing stack of city charges.

Oregon Health Authority Shake-Up: OHA director Dr. Sejal Hathi resigned effective Aug. 1, with Gov. Tina Kotek naming former DHS director Fariborz Pakseresht as interim leader, as lawmakers pressed for answers about Oregon State Hospital seclusion practices and a June complaint is under investigation. Energy & Data Centers: Kotek backed the Oregon PUC’s upcoming July 7 decision on PGE rates under the POWER Act, with data-center costs projected to jump about 29% while residential rates fall slightly. Local vs. Federal Immigration Conditions: Salem sued DHS and FEMA over disaster-grant conditions tied to DEI limits and ICE cooperation, putting more than $1 million at risk for repairs. Voting Rights Fight: Oregon is among states in a multistate push against a USPS plan to restrict mail ballots via a centralized eligible-voter list, after federal court setbacks for the Trump administration. Courts & Health Care Law: Eugene ER doctors scored a “David and Goliath” win against ApolloMD over Oregon’s corporate practice of medicine rules. Public Safety for July 4: Oregon agencies and localities are tightening fireworks and boating-under-the-influence enforcement amid wildfire risk, with Hermiston reiterating aerial fireworks are illegal without a permit.

Oregon Health Authority Leadership: Gov. Tina Kotek announced Dr. Sejal Hathi will resign as OHA director effective Aug. 1, with Fariborz Pakseresht stepping in as interim director July 6 to keep the agency steady during the search for a permanent leader. Homelessness in Pendleton: The Pendleton City Council rejected a proposed settlement in a lawsuit over its “resting” ordinance, setting up continued court fights with five homeless residents who argue the policy violates Oregon law. Public Safety & Courts: Corvallis police arrested Oscar Porras of Salem after a retail theft operation, alleging he used his brother’s identity to dodge warrants. Military for July 4: Oregon Air National Guard announced extensive F-15 flyovers for Independence Day, including multiple stops across the Salem area and beyond. Statehouse Watch (regional): Washington data centers lost sales-tax exemptions for equipment repairs/refurbishment starting July 1 under S.B. 6231. Policy & Economy: Oregon’s Prosperity Council report draws scrutiny as it pushes tax and regulatory changes aimed at boosting growth.

Oregon Courts & Elections: The Oregon Supreme Court declined to order Meta to release Instagram messages in a Salem-area murder case, a setback for the defense’s self-defense bid. Public Safety: Medford officials warn dry, windy conditions could make Fourth of July fireworks both a wildfire and injury risk, with local rules limiting when and where fireworks are legal. Local Law Enforcement: A former Gladstone police officer, Lynn Benton, was sentenced to 20 years in prison after pleading to manslaughter in the 2011 murder of his wife, ending a long appeals process. State Government & Policy: Oregon’s minimum wage rises July 1, and the state also reiterates dog-licensing requirements under ORS 609.100. Federal Politics: A federal judge blocked a Trump administration effort to change how the Postal Service processes mail ballots, citing conflicts with a prior settlement.

Small-Business Procurement Push: Gov. Tina Kotek says Oregon will now give certified Oregon small businesses a preference in state purchasing under the OSBE program, aiming to keep more investment local. Government Watchdog Work: Oregon’s Secretary of State Tobias Read has launched the FY 2027 performance audit plan, using a data-driven process to pick high-risk state programs for review. Public Lands Fire Safety: BLM has tightened fire restrictions across Oregon and Washington ahead of the Fourth of July, with steep penalties for starting wildfires and bans on items like fireworks and sky lanterns. Elections Access: Read is recruiting volunteers for the Translation Advisory Council to help translate voter materials for Chinese, Arabic, Somali and other language communities. Local Community Spotlight: Medford police joined a 17-mile Law Enforcement Torch Run for Special Olympics Oregon, while OPRD is seeking public comment on updates to its Local Government Grant Program rules. Legal/Policy: Oregon AG Rayfield says a federal court permanently blocked a Trump PSLF rule that would have denied loan forgiveness based on employer ideology.

Supreme Court & Elections: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting a Trump order, and also backed states’ ability to count late-arriving mail ballots under grace-period rules—moves Oregon officials say protect voters’ rights. Education & Federal Power: Oregon Rep. Suzanne Bonamici joined House Democrats pushing an impeachment resolution against Education Secretary Linda McMahon, alleging she’s unlawfully dismantling the Department of Education. Medicaid Fight: Oregon and other Democratic-led states sued the Trump administration over Medicaid work requirements, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow. Oregon Infrastructure: Portland International Airport finished its $2.15B terminal rebuild after 11 years, touting capacity gains and seismic upgrades. Public Safety & Local Government: Oregon’s July 4 weekend brings enhanced boating under-the-influence patrols and wildfire-related fireworks warnings; Wilsonville also dealt with a bear sighting near Fred Meyer. Housing & Development: A Lancaster County apartment boom story highlights Mosaic’s delayed timeline, with foundation work targeted for fall and first move-ins projected for 2029.

Medicaid Fight: Twenty-five Democratic-led states and D.C. sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid “work requirements” guidance, arguing the “medically frail” exemption is too narrow and could kick ill and disabled people off coverage. Elections & Courts: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld birthright citizenship, rejecting Trump’s attempt to narrow the 14th Amendment, while separate rulings protect states’ ability to count late-arriving mail ballots under grace-period rules. Oregon Policy & Governance: Oregon is among states challenging the Medicaid rule, and Oregon officials praised the Supreme Court’s mail-ballot decision. Environment & Permits: Washington’s Ecology is seeking public comment on a major Hanford Site permit renewal, a key tool for overseeing DOE cleanup. Public Safety & Infrastructure: Oregon State Police released details on a fatal Highway 126 crash near Sisters/Redmond. Local Impact: OSU-Cascades’ Little Kits daycare is set to close Thursday, leaving families scrambling for child care. Federal/Regional Economy: The Oregon International Port of Coos Bay secured a $25 million federal grant to advance the Pacific Coast Intermodal Port project. Tech & Privacy: Oregon named its State CIO and Chief Privacy Officer/AI Strategist for StateScoop GoldenGov leadership awards.

Supreme Court Mail-Ballot Win for Oregon: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count regular mail ballots received after Election Day as long as they’re postmarked by then, a decision Oregon officials say protects voters from postal delays and keeps the state’s ballot grace period in place. Medicaid Work-Requirement Lawsuits: Twenty-five Democratic-led states (including Oregon) sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements and a narrower “medically frail” exemption that they argue would wrongly kick off medically vulnerable people. Oregon AG on ICE Death-Reporting: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield joined a coalition urging DHS/ICE to reverse a policy that ends investigations and public reporting of detainee deaths tied to shortly-after-release timing. Oregon Ballot Initiatives Stall: A new report says nearly every proposed Oregon initiative won’t make the November ballot, with only one petition currently on track after signature and legal hurdles. Wildfire Liability Appeal: The Oregon Supreme Court agreed to hear a major PacifiCorp wildfire class-action appeal tied to damages for about 2,000 property owners. Local Governance: Lane County approved a tight $1.2B budget for the coming fiscal year, with public safety and other services facing difficult tradeoffs.

Medicaid Fight in Oregon: AG Rayfield sued the Trump administration over new Medicaid work requirements, arguing the federal “medically frail” rules unlawfully narrow exemptions and could strip coverage from medically fragile Oregonians. Election Integrity, Oregon Included: The U.S. Supreme Court upheld states’ ability to count mail ballots postmarked by Election Day even if they arrive later—keeping Oregon’s 7-day grace period intact and blocking a GOP push to end it. Federal Court vs. Voter Data Demands: A judge dismissed New Hampshire’s case seeking sensitive voter database records, adding to a string of defeats for the DOJ in election-data requests. Federal Reserve Independence: The Supreme Court sided with Fed Governor Lisa Cook in a dispute over her termination, limiting presidential due-process shortcuts in firing “for cause” officials. Ranked Choice Voting Push (Local): Bend-area organizers began gathering signatures to bring ranked choice voting to Deschutes County elections. Oregon Minimum Wage: Oregon’s minimum wage rises 50 cents per hour this week, with different regional floors for Portland metro, Willamette Valley/coastal counties, and rural eastern Oregon. Venezuela Quake Response: Rescue efforts continue after deadly quakes, with officials warning death tolls may be far higher than reported.